01c. 1514 ADWhen Eve was brought unto Adam, he became filled with the Holy Spirit, and gave her the most sanctified, the most glorious of appellations. He called her Eva, that is to say, the Mother of All. He did not style her wife, but simply mother,—mother of all living creatures. In this consists the glory and the most precious ornament of woman.Martin Luther / quote ↗
02c. 1514 ADOriginal sin is in us like the beard: we are shaved to-day, and look clean, and have a smooth chin; to-morrow our beard has grown again, nor does it cease growing while we remain on earth. In like manner original sin cannot be extirpated from us; it springs up in us as long as we exist; Nevertheless, we are bound to resist it to our utmost strength, and to cut it down unceasingly.Martin Luther / quote ↗
03c. 1514 ADCount it one of the highest virtues upon earth to educate faithfully the children of others, which so few, and scarcely any, do by their own.Martin Luther / quote ↗
06c. 1514 ADFirst, when I feel that I am become cold and indisposed to prayer, by reason of other business and thoughts, I take my psalter and run into my chamber, or, if day and season serve, into the church to the multitude, and begin to repeat to myself—just as children used—the ten commandments, the creed, and, according as I have time, some sayings of Christ or of Paul, or some Psalms. Therefore it is well to let prayer be the first employment in the early morning, and the last in the evening. Avoid diligently those false and deceptive thoughts which say, Wait a little, I will pray an hour hence; I must first perform this or that. For with such thoughts a man quits prayer for business that lays hold of and entangles him, so that he comes not to pray the whole day long.Martin Luther / quote ↗
07c. 1514 ADWe are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.Martin Luther / quote ↗
08c. 1514 ADMy heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.Martin Luther / quote ↗
10c. 1514 ADSince then your sere Majesty and your Lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor toothed. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.", April 18, 1521)Martin Luther / quote ↗
11c. 1514 ADBe a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.Martin Luther / quote ↗
12c. 1514 ADAlthough it is very easy to marry a wife, it is very difficult to support her along with the children and the household. Accordingly, no one notices this faith of Jacob. Indeed, many hate fertility in a wife for the sole reason that the offspring must be supported and brought up. For this is what they commonly say: ‘Why should I marry a wife when I am a pauper and a beggar? I would rather bear the burden of poverty alone and not load myself with misery and want.’ But this blame is unjustly fastened on marriage and fruitfulness. Indeed, you are indicting your unbelief by distrusting God’s goodness, and you are bringing greater misery upon yourself by disparaging God’s blessing. For if you had trust in God’s grace and promises, you would undoubtedly be supported. But because you do not hope in the Lord, you will never prosper.Martin Luther / quote ↗
13c. 1514 ADI cannot choose but adhere to the word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor will I even make any recantation, since it is neither safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience! Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God! Amen.Martin Luther / quote ↗
14c. 1514 ADFor all works and things, which are either commanded or forbidden by God and thus have been instituted by the supreme Majesty, are 'musts.' Nevertheless, no one should be dragged to them or away from them by the hair, for I can drive no man to heaven or beat him into it with a club.Martin Luther / quote ↗
15c. 1514 ADTo be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing.Martin Luther / quote ↗
16c. 1514 ADIf God had not permitted the people of Jerusalem to be torn asunder and driven them from the land, but had let them keep it after before, no one could convince them that they are not God`s chosen people.Martin Luther / quote ↗
17c. 1514 ADLo! my God, without merit on my part, of His pure and free mercy, has given to me (an unworthy, condemned, and contemptible creature) all the riches of justification and salvation in Christ.For such a Father then, who has overwhelmed me with these inestimable riches of His, why should I not freely, cheerfully, with my whole heart and with an eager will, do all that I know will be pleasing to Him, and acceptable in His sight?I will therefore give myself, as a sort of Christ, to my neighbor, as Christ has given Himself to me; and will do nothing in this life, except what I see will be needful, advantageous, and wholesome for my neighbor, since by faith I abound in all good things in Christ.Martin Luther / quote ↗
19c. 1514 ADI am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.Martin Luther / quote ↗
20c. 1514 ADAll who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired.Martin Luther / quote ↗
21c. 1514 ADReason is a whore, the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.Martin Luther / quote ↗
23c. 1514 ADEven if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.Martin Luther / quote ↗
24c. 1514 ADI have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.Martin Luther / quote ↗
